Comac Eyes Western Market Amid Boeing and Airbus Supply Chain Issues

Chinese aircraft manufacturer Comac is poised to secure its first deal with a Western airline as production delays plague industry giants Boeing and Airbus. According to Reuters, Brazil’s Total Linhas Aereas is in talks to acquire up to four Comac C919 jets, signaling a potential breakthrough for the Chinese planemaker outside of Asia.

Supply chain disruptions have impacted both Boeing and Airbus, providing an opportunity for Comac to make inroads. The C919, comparable to the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 Max, has garnered over 1,000 orders, mostly from Chinese airlines. However, the jet is less advanced, with a shorter range than its competitors.

Paulo Almada, the controlling partner of Total Linhas Aereas, revealed that discussions with Comac have been ongoing for months. He plans to visit the company next month to finalize the potential order. With delivery promises as early as March 2024, Comac could capitalize on Airbus and Boeing’s production challenges.

Although Embraer, a major Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, also offers jets, its planes have smaller passenger capacities than the C919. The possibility of a Chinese jet operating in Brazil would mark a significant achievement for Comac as it seeks to expand into new markets.

Despite Comac’s ambitions, concerns remain about the reliability and support for the C919 in regions outside of China. Nonetheless, as Boeing and Airbus continue to face production hurdles, Comac may have a chance to disrupt the duopoly in the global aviation market.

Related news: https://airguide.info/?s=C919

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, yahoo.com